Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria says that kidnappers wanted to know militants' addresses from him

Aslan Guliev, a resident of the city of Tyrnyauz, Kabardino-Balkaria, has informed rights defenders that he was kidnapped on March 14 by unidentified men in masks, who, according to his story, tortured him, demanding to talk about his connections with militants. Fearing for his life and health, Guliev asks for help in recovering his violated rights.

The kidnapping took place in the morning, when Guliev, according to his version, was driving his car to Nalchik. He was stopped by unknown masked men, who were in a VAZ-21099 car. Aslan Guliev was put into that car; his hands were fixed with tape behind his back; a plastic bag was put over his head; all the time he was beaten and insulted.

When the car came to some unknown place, Guliev was brought into a building, where they laid him on the floor, tied his feet with tape, wrapped a bag around his head and started asking questions. The kidnappers wanted to know whether Aslan knew any of those who hide from law enforcement bodies and involved in illegal armed formations (IAFs), and whether he helped them.

After hearing his negative responses, the kidnappers tortured him by passing electric current through Guliev's body; and he lost consciousness. When he came to senses, the man again heard the same questions from his kidnappers and said that he knew no answers, but was ready to cooperate. Then, the kidnappers pressed a pistol to Guliev's index finger and said that the pistol was used to kill two policemen. After this, they also pressed several solid square objects to his fingers.

According to Guliev, during the beatings and torture the kidnappers said that they gave him a month, during which he should indicate the refuge, where militants are hiding; otherwise, they promised to kill him.

In the evening of the same day, the kidnappers took him outside the village of Lechinkay, Chegem District of Kabardino-Balkaria, put him back into his car, which was there, removed the bag from his head and ordered not to raise his eyes until they leave. The whole story is presented on the website of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", where Guliev addressed his application on March 29.

So far, the "Caucasian Knot" has no comments of law enforcement officials about the incident.